MTUC secretary-general J. Solomon said the move was risky and puzzling.

He added the EPF should invest locally to improve workers welfare instead.

“We note with dismay… this commitment does not augur well for the government when it is risking the workers funds to strengthen the economy of a super-power and world’s largest economy especially when there is dire need to strengthen the economy of our own country to at least materialise our Vision 2020,” he told Malay Mail Online.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak announced close to RM40 billion in Malaysian investments in the US during his meeting with US President Donald Trump on Tuesday.

Najib had also revealed to the American leader that Malaysia was now exporting capital to the US through the likes of EPF, Khazanah Holdings and national carrier Malaysia Airlines.

Solomon questioned whether the US appreciated the investments.

“In a globalised economic climate, we neither resist nor dispute the government entering into international trade pacts but prior to such as acts, the government cannot simply ignore its priority towards its own people, especially the workers welfare and dealing with monies that belong to the workers.

“EPF belongs to the workers and it should be invested to improve workers’ welfare not to invest in US equity markets to assist US infrastructure and redevelopment,” he said.